Jimmy Mars (28) goes around Pat Doar (11) to take the lead.
What won the race: Hometown driver Jimmy Mars stormed Pat Doar on the high side on a lap-13 restart and led the remaining 42 laps to capture the fifth annual Duane Mahder Memorial on the Structural Buildings WISSOTA Challenge Series at Red Cedar Speedway. Mars earned $5,555 in winning the race for the third straight season.
Quotable: "(Before) we had that caution, I think I could've got (past) Doar right there. We were real good," Mars said. "But I got a good jump off that bottom and got back to the top and passed him before it rubbered up on the bottom. Everything turned out good."
Key notes: Doar started on the pole and lead the first 13 laps on the bottom. ... Mars, who started sixth, was the first to venture to the cushion and rode the rim to the lead. ... Mars began to pull away from Doar but his lead was erased by a scheduled caution for fuel. ... Doar tried the cushion on the ensuing restart giving Mars his toughest challenge of the race. ... Mars was able to hold him off and eventually ran unchallenged in winning the race for the fourth time. ... Multitime WCS champ John Kaanta blew a tire in turn one on the 13th lap, spinning to collect Dustin Sorenson and Rick Hanestad. ... James Giossi retired late with nosepiece damage after getting hung up with another driver exiting turn four. ... Eighteen drivers were running at the finish. ... Much of the $42,000 Late Model purse was collected by Scott \"Bulldog\" Anderson, a longtime friend of the Mahder family. ... Red Cedar's points season ends Aug. 20.
On the move: Chad Mahder of Bloomer, Wis., started 19th and finished eighth in the race honoring his late father; he pitted to change a tire on the 14th lap.
Winner's sponsors: Mars drives an MB Customs Race Car powered by a Pro Power Racing engine and sponsored by Veit, Vonco, Deppe Enterprises, T.L. Sinz Plumbing, Keyes Chevytown, Armi Contractors, Mid-States Equipment, Baileigh Industrial, S&S Transport, QualityFreightRate, Groveyard Auto, Joe Signs, VP Racing Fuels and Joe Provo Race Wear.
Points chase: Before Red Cedar: 1. Darrell Nelson (981); 2. Jeffrey Massingill (947); 3. John Kaanta (934); 4. Jake Redetzke (878); 5. Chad Becker (649).
Car count: 37
Heat race winners: Jesse Glenz, Dustin Sorensen, James Giossi, Pat Doar, , , ,
Consolation race winners: Chad Mahder, Travis Budisalovich, ,
Next series race: May 13, I-94 Sure Step Speedway (Fergus Falls, MN) $5,000